The Provincial legislature is flying the rainbow Pride Flag during the Olympics to show support for Russia's LGBT community and visiting athletes during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

"In Nova Scotia, we believe in tolerance and acceptance and we are proud to join with other provinces and cities across Canada and around the world in this show of solidarity against discrimination," said Premier Stephen McNeil.

Nova Scotia joins several other Canadian jurisdictions who have taken similar action.

Gerald Hashey is co-chair of the LGBTI Network, which works to create and maintain supportive workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex employees of the province of Nova Scotia. He said raising the pride flag is more than just symbolic.

"The good will and the positive intent behind a decision to fly the pride flag is what really matters," said Hashey. "It's meaningful here at home, and the support being expressed worldwide, is not going unnoticed in Russia. Every opportunity to stay violence and oppression against LGBTI people must be seized."

The flag will fly outside of Province House for the duration of the Olympics.